Where to safely buy SDRs besides Amazon?

[humblegeo]

I had to delete my amazon account because to unauthorized transactions on my account that totaled $255 and didn't get much help from amazon recouping my funds from the fraud. I'm looking to buy 2 RTL-SDR V3 dongles and try to get into SDRTrunk, SDRSharp, maybe Unitrunker. All I have right now is the basic RTL2832 SDR/R820T which I've got working with SDRTrunk and SDRSharp....just learning the basics. Do I need the better dongles like RTL-SDR-V3 to get into the SDRTrunk of P25 Phase 1 and 2 signals? If so then where is a good safe reliable place to purchase besides Amazon which I no longer do business with due to security concerns with debit card purchases? Can I get started with what I've got until the new SDR's arrive? I know it's a learning curve.

Appreciate the help. Just upgrade to premium radio reference for 6 months
LG

 

[w2lie]

you should be able to buy direct from https://www.nooelec.com and https://www.AirSpy.us
RTL-Blog resells on Amazon and eBay. Use their links on their site: Buy RTL-SDR Dongles (RTL2832U)

 

[Bustergrn]

Tough luck with Amazon. You can buy direct from RTL-SDR. They will require a CC or Paypal to purchase online.
Buy RTL-SDR Dongles (RTL2832U)

Speaking of Paypal, you could link a Paypal account to your Debit, Credit or Bank Account and continue to use Amazon, Ebay, etc. Paypal has very good consumer protection. I use it exclusively when purchasing online and have always been taken care of.

As far as getting started with what you have... it looks like you have enough to get started with P1/P2 systems. I recommend OP25 if you have access to Linux. Easy to install and use as well as great support from the devs and community here on RR. Virtual machines and linux are both free just require a little configuration. If you don't want to go the virtual machine route, you can run it headless on a Raspi 3 or 4 which will run between $80 and $150 depending on model. OP25 will utilize a single dongle for P1 systems very well. P2 will generally need a second dongle to be fully functional.

Edit: I use SDRTrunk with a single dongle to monitor a P1 P25 Motorola system. It works very well. SDRTrunk has no TG hold functionality but has decent TG prioritization through Alias lists.

Good Luck!

 

[PDXh0b0]

Amazon is the fastest, I figure out what I'm buying, swing down to a store and buy an Amazon card for that amount

 

[maus92]

I had to delete my amazon account because to unauthorized transactions on my account that totaled $255 and didn't get much help from amazon recouping my funds from the fraud. I'm looking to buy 2 RTL-SDR V3 dongles and try to get into SDRTrunk, SDRSharp, maybe Unitrunker. All I have right now is the basic RTL2832 SDR/R820T which I've got working with SDRTrunk and SDRSharp....just learning the basics. Do I need the better dongles like RTL-SDR-V3 to get into the SDRTrunk of P25 Phase 1 and 2 signals? If so then where is a good safe reliable place to purchase besides Amazon which I no longer do business with due to security concerns with debit card purchases? Can I get started with what I've got until the new SDR's arrive? I know it's a learning curve.

Appreciate the help. Just upgrade to premium radio reference for 6 months
LG

Fraudulent charges to a cc account are handled by the bank that issued the card / account. I've had fraudulent charges more often than than I like, but the bank always takes responsibility, refunds the charges, and issues a new card account. If your bank doesn't do that promptly, change banks.

 

[lwvmobile]

Definitely make sure to sign up for fraudulent protection services on your cards if you can. Last time I had a fraudulent attempt on one of my cards, I got a text message asking if it was me attempting a precharge authorization at a gas pump in Illinois, I replied N on my phone, and it promptly deactivated my card. I've also had multiple times where I was the person using my card and got the same prompt, hit Y and made the purchase. Other times, on some credit cards, had my card declined at the P.O.S. and the clerk told me to call the issuer to tell them to let the charge go through. So, definitely sign up for those services if you can, even if they aren't always 100% accurate, they go based on your geolocation and spending habits, so any unusual activity will get blocked until authorized.

 

[kcams]

Debit card online?

Don't do that. What's the difference between a debit card and a credit card? The debit card says you have the money and using the credit card says you are good for the money. You aren't out the money up front.

It's much easier to get your money back on a credit card by just disputing a charge. You can also limit your exposure by using a prepaid card too (amount to cover the purchase). You might have less luck getting that reversed, but perhaps not. Depends on if the seller is a ghost or not and wants to be able to take cards of any type again..

 

[BAH1]

I do NOT use cards of ANY sort. All I want to do is just walk in and buy an SDR. Spot cash. Where can I do this in Richmond VA area.

 

[maus92]

I have never seen them in stores in the metro DC or Baltimore area, so doubtful you will have much luck in Richmond at retail.

 

[w2lie]

I do NOT use cards of ANY sort. All I want to do is just walk in and buy an SDR. Spot cash. Where can I do this in Richmond VA area.

Question is kind of off topic from the OP, but if I was in your shoes, I'd ask someone you know with a card to make the purchase for you online and then pay that person in cash for the order. Or, go to the local convenience store, buy a cash card and use that to make the online transaction. In the end, you are still paying in cash. As Maus92 stated, you'll most likely not find these in any local store. It's a niche product.

 

[Bustergrn]

Walmart Visa Gift card - load the amount of purchase and use it to purchase online. Easy peasy.